Chapter 155 The Queen Mother Returns to the Palace

It was a sunny day, and the breeze brushed gently like soft fingers.

In the imperial palace, there was a festive and peaceful scene as the Queen Mother was welcomed back to the palace.

The phoenix embroidered on Su Jingyao's phoenix gown is lifelike, as if it is about to spread its wings and fly high at any time.

Wearing a dazzling phoenix crown, every gemstone sparkles with dazzling light.

She was dressed up carefully, and every move she made was dignified and graceful, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised, with just the right smile.

Jun Zechen was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe with a golden dragon on it, baring its fangs and claws, looking extremely majestic.

The jade belt around his waist made his posture look as straight and upright as a pine tree. There was an innate majesty between his brows, and his eyes were sharp as he looked straight ahead.

The two stood side by side, Jun Zechen's hand lightly resting on Su Jingyao's hand, quietly waiting for the Queen Mother's return.

The ministers, dressed in court robes, lined up neatly in the square in front of the palace. Each of them had a solemn look and did not look away.

The concubines above the rank of mistress of the first palace also dressed up in their best attire.

Among the crowd was the Lord of Qingping County.

She was wearing a light blue dress made of fine material, the hem of which swayed gently in the breeze.

Her makeup is delicate, her eyebrows are as dark as distant black, and her eyes are moving, but there is a hint of complex emotions in her eyes that are difficult to detect.

Finally, the sound of gongs and drums came from afar, and the sound came closer and was deafening.

The Queen Mother's carriage drove slowly in, and the guards around were all in high spirits.

Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen went forward to meet them.

All the ministers and concubines knelt down and saluted in unison.

"Welcome the Queen Mother back to the palace. Long live the Queen Mother!"

Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen personally helped the Queen Mother down from the throne. The Queen Mother was all smiles and looked radiant.

There is gentleness and kindness in his eyes.

"Everyone, get up!"

Everyone stood up to thank them. Su Jingyao smiled and said, "My mother's visit to the Huguo Temple to pray for blessings must have brought good fortune to our dynasty."

Her voice was clear and pleasant, and her eyes were full of respect and concern.

The Queen Mother nodded, her eyes slowly scanning the crowd, full of relief.

Jun Zechen also spoke up: "Today's ceremony is to welcome the Queen Mother. I wish her a long and healthy life."

"Emperor and Empress, you have worked hard."

The Queen Mother said with a smile, her eyes full of love.

"I heard that Wanyin has returned from Canglang and was named county lord by the emperor?"

The Queen Mother asked with a smile. After all, she was her brother's daughter and had lived in the palace for a period of time. She still missed her after not seeing her for so many years.

Qi Wanyin walked forward with just the right amount of respect and joy on her face.

She leaned forward slightly and saluted the Queen Mother.

"Your humble servant pays respects to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health and good health."

Qi Wanyin's voice was clear and melodious, and her salute movements were standard and formal. She folded her hands in front of her and lowered her head slightly.

The Queen Mother stretched out her hand and pulled her in front of her. Her eyes were full of love and longing as she looked her over carefully.

He murmured, "You and your father have very similar eyebrows and eyes."

Then the Queen Mother smiled and said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. How about you accompany me in the palace for the next few days?"

"It is my blessing to be able to accompany the Queen Mother. I am naturally willing to do so."

Qi Wanyin said with a smile, a sincere smile on her face, and raised her head slightly to look at the Queen Mother.

Afterwards, the crowd surrounded the Queen Mother and walked into the palace.

Surrounded by the crowd, the Queen Mother walked steadily with a gentle smile on her face.

Inside the hall, the Queen Mother, the Emperor, and the Empress sat at the top, and Jun Zechen sat in the middle, his expression solemn and dignified.

Several high-ranking concubines sat on both sides, looking at the emperor from time to time. It was extremely difficult for them to see His Majesty now.

The Queen Mother had not seen the Lord of Qingping County for many years, so she had a seat added next to her and summoned the Lord of Qingping County over.

The Lord of Qingping County walked to the side of the Queen Mother, bowed slightly and sat down.

"Aunt, Wanyin has really missed you these years."

Qi Wanyin said this with a slight sob in her voice and slightly red eyes.

She picked up the chopsticks and served the Empress Dowager a dish of soft-cooked fish that was her favorite.

The Queen Mother smiled with satisfaction, her eyes full of relief, "It's amazing that you still remember my preferences after six or seven years."

The Queen Mother patted Qi Wanyin's hand gently.

"As long as my aunt likes it."

Qi Wanyin smiled, but there seemed to be a hint of bitterness in her smile.

"I originally heard that the Emperor had arranged a marriage between you and the Empress's brother, Minister Su. Why don't you want to get married now?"

The Queen Mother frowned slightly, and her tone showed the concern of an elder for the younger.

Hearing this, Qi Wanyin raised her eyes to look at His Majesty, whose expression was calm. Her expression was brief and complicated, filled with helplessness and fear.

Then she calmly looked away, as if the glance had never happened.

"Aunt, Wanyin is not worthy of Minister Su. Wanyin only wants to stay with you. I don't want to get married in this life."

Qi Wanyin forced a smile, which seemed extremely forced, and there were even tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.

She lowered her head and twisted the handkerchief in her hands unconsciously.

When the Queen Mother saw her like this, she immediately felt something was wrong.

Originally, the Queen Mother was very happy when she heard that she was going to marry into the Su family.

After all, the Su family is a family of scholars, the Queen has a good character, and Minister Su is probably not bad either. If Wanyin marries into the Su family, she will surely live a happy life.

But the Queen Mother couldn't understand why she wanted to cancel the marriage.

Before the empress dowager returned to the imperial city, she had already heard rumors about the Qingping County Lord all over the city.

She must have been under a lot of pressure and criticism during this period.

Although the Queen proposed that women have freedom of marriage, which saved many people from talking about the Lord of Qingping County, some deep-rooted customs and prejudices against women would not disappear in a short time.

But now in public, the Queen Mother did not ask any more questions.

Su Jingyao sat on one side, and because they were so close, she could hear almost everything that was said between the Queen Mother and the County Lord.

Jun Zechen could also hear it, but acted as if he didn't hear it and remained calm, as if all this had nothing to do with him.

Sudden.

Lady Chu's personal maid, Jing Xiang, came in trotting with a look of fear on her face.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Queen Mother, Your Majesty, I have something to report."

She knelt on the ground, her voice trembling and her body shaking constantly.

"Your Majesty, Lady Chu has died of poisoning!"

As soon as the palace maid finished speaking, the entire hall fell into deathly silence.

Su Jingyao was sitting in a high position, and her eyes darkened instantly.

Originally, Su Jingyao had been planning to take action against Miss Chu because of the relationship between the Yan and Chu families.

However, she didn't expect that someone would take action before her.

Who killed Lady Chu?

What is the purpose?

Originally, Minister Chu was drinking and chatting with the ministers next to him, with a smile on his face.

I never thought I would hear such shocking news.

His smile froze on his face and the wine glass in his hand fell to the ground with a bang.

Minister Chu strode to the center of the hall in grief and anger, his steps heavy and eager.

"Your Majesty, who is so cruel and bold as to poison a concubine to death in the harem?"

Minister Chu knelt in the middle, his voice was mournful, his eyes were full of anger and questioning, his gaze seemed to be spewing fire.

"Master Chu, Lady Chu was murdered in the harem. I will definitely investigate the matter thoroughly and give Master Chu an explanation."

Su Jingyao straightened her body slightly, her expression serious and her tone firm.

Since something happened in the harem, Su Jingyao must take responsibility.

If Jun Zechen handles it, how will the court officials view her as the queen?

"Your Majesty, I know that my daughter offended you when she was in the Eastern Palace. But she is also the apple of the Chu family's eye. How could she die in such an unclear way?"

Minister Chu's voice was filled with tears and his forehead hit the ground heavily.

"I beg your Majesty and the Queen to look into this matter carefully and give an explanation to my daughter and the Chu family!"

He raised his head and stared straight at Su Jingyao.

If your daughter had not offended the empress, Your Majesty would not have ignored her after she gave birth to the third prince.

He didn't even promote him, and gave the third prince, who originally belonged to the Chu family, to someone else.

Su Jingyao's eyes are sharp, like a sword.

"Of course, no matter who in the harem has such a thing, I will investigate and punish them severely."

Her voice was cold.

Minister Chu was putting pressure on her and even pointing the finger at her as the queen.

It was his daughter who harmed her in the East Palace, and now that something has happened, he is ready to bite her back?

The coldness in Su Jingyao's eyes grew stronger.

Having said that, Su Jingyao turned her head and first looked at the Queen Mother with guilt in her eyes, and then turned to Jun Zechen.

"Mother, Your Majesty, the matter of Lady Chu is my responsibility. I will investigate and handle it now. Today is Mother's welcoming banquet. Your Majesty, please continue to accompany Mother. I will take my leave first."

Su Jingyao spoke at a slow pace and bowed slightly after she finished speaking.

The Queen Mother had obviously become indifferent to these things, and the harem was never peaceful.

She sighed softly, then nodded slightly, her face showing no sign of surprise.

Jun Zechen frowned, with some worry in his eyes.

But Yaoyao never liked him to interfere in the affairs of the harem.

Su Jingyao turned and walked out of the hall, her face as cold as ice.

Xu Xiurong and Yan Zhaoyi, who were sitting nearby, looked at the empress's departing back and glanced at each other.

A hint of schadenfreude flashed across Xu Xiurong's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

Yan Zhaoyi narrowed his eyes slightly, as if thinking about something.

Then the two of them picked up the wine in the cup and took a sip as if nothing had happened.

Miaoyun followed behind Su Jingyao, looking a little nervous.

A concubine died suddenly, and they were totally unaware.

Miaoyun carefully raised her head and glanced at her master's back. She could already feel the depressed mood coming from her master.

Su Jingyao suddenly spoke up, "Send Doctor Jin to the Jade Hall."